Finals spots still very much up for grabs in AFL

With two rounds of home and away fixtures remaining, three sides can still claim the minor premiership, five are fighting for the coveted top-four spots and 12 sides are trying to fit into the final eight.

A top-four spot is on the cards for Freo and West Coast may yet play finals in 2014 as well. Photo: Paul Kane

And this is likely to remain the scenario right up to the end of round 23.

Despite losing to Essendon by three points on Saturday night, West Coast’s favourable draw leaves it in the best spot of pinching eighth spot, even though the Eagles are currently sitting in 12th spot.

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And while Fremantle impressed with a 19-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday, the victory does not guarantee the Dockers a spot in the top four come finals time.

The fourth-placed Dockers are just one win ahead of Port Adelaide on the ladder.

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Fremantle plays Brisbane at the Gabba this Sunday, while the Power hosts Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Friday night. The Dockers also hold a 2.3 percentage advantage.

So, should results go as expected next weekend, the Dockers and Port clash at Patersons Stadium in round 23 will be a straight fight out for fourth spot and the double-chance.

The bookies believe the Eagles will finish eighth after Collingwood and Adelaide failed to take their chances on the weekend.

If they can beat Melbourne at Patersons Stadium next week and the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round 23, the Eagles will finish on 44 points.

And that could be enough to leapfrog the Crows, Richmond, the Magpies and the Suns into September action. All have currently won just one more game than West Coast, but the Eagles have a very good percentage.

Only the Crows have a better percentage than West Coast, by just 0.1 of a per cent.

Of course, if any of the sides fighting West Coast for that last spot in the finals can win both of their remaining games, the Eagles’ season is over after round 23, regardless of how they fare in the coming fortnight.

But all of those sides are still to face one side that is currently higher than them on the ladder.